Q: What were the key takeaways or trends discussed at the intersection of trade finance and AI?

A: The attendees discussed a number of trends and takeaways, but the two that surfaced as the most critical were around (1) the aging workforce, and (2) compliance and risk management.  There were some specific use cases discussed where AI-enabled solutions could help address these important business issues in trade finance.

Q: Were there any standout speakers, panels, or sessions that resonated with you—and why?

A: The panel of regional bankers was instrumental in setting the table for the symposium and providing a foundation of business topics that the subsequent tech-focused sessions could reflect on.

Q: How did the conference address real-world applications of AI in the trade finance space?

A: IBM and their tech vendor partners showcased real-world applications that other banks are leveraging today, in production, that apply to the business problems discussed.

Q: What were some common challenges or concerns mentioned by other attendees regarding AI and trade finance?

A: Certainly getting funding for AI-enabled solutions was mentioned by many participants, as was the challenge of fitting the goals of trade finance into the larger enterprise-level objectives, usage, and “rules” around using AI.